Britain’s Blind Spot: Charity Funding of Israeli Settlements in Hebron

The latest revelation about a British charity funding a religious school in the heart of an illegal Israeli settlement in Hebron has once again exposed the complex and often murky world of charity donations. Friends of Yeshivat Shavei Hevron, a UK-based charity, sent nearly £200,000 to the Yeshiva between 2019 and 2024, sparking outrage from Palestinian human rights defenders and advocacy groups.

The issue raises important questions about the role of charities in perpetuating conflicts. Hagit Ofran, an Israeli advocate for peace, notes that “thousands of Palestinians have already lost their shops, housing, and daily livelihoods in the heart of a Palestinian city” due to the settlement’s construction. The addition of new dormitories will only exacerbate the situation, leading to more violence and restrictions on Palestinian residents.

Friends of Yeshivat Shavei Hevron is seeking funding from other countries, including France and Canada, where settlements are considered illegal. This underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in charity donations. The charity’s deed of trust explicitly states that it supports educational and charitable work “in the state of Israel,” with no mention of Palestine.

This raises concerns about the Charity Commission’s oversight and regulation of charities. At least 32 British charities have donated a total of £28m to Israeli settlements in recent years, according to Labour MP Melanie Ward. The Charity Commission has passed on details of her letter to the Metropolitan police’s war crimes unit, but no investigation is currently underway.

The issue is complicated by Israel’s failure to define its own borders and the British government’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine last year, which includes Hebron. This highlights the need for greater clarity and consistency in charity regulations, particularly when it comes to funding projects in occupied territories.

Nadav Weiman, executive director of Breaking the Silence, warns that “if communities fund that new dormitory, they are funding more violence, funding the next wave that will bring death to Palestinian families and Israeli families.” This stark warning serves as a reminder of the human cost of charity donations that perpetuate conflict.

The Charity Commission’s response has been lukewarm. In a statement, the commission acknowledged Ward’s concerns but noted that this is “a complex and contentious issue” that touches on wider legal principles about charities’ right to operate in conflict zones. This ambiguity allows charities to exploit loopholes and continue funding projects that perpetuate violence.

Ultimately, this scandal highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in charity donations. Britain’s charities must be held to a higher standard when it comes to supporting causes that perpetuate conflict and human rights abuses. The Charity Commission must take concrete steps to investigate these allegations and ensure that charities are not being used as fronts for funding illegal settlements.

As Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, noted in parliament last month, “charity systems are abused to funnel support to illegal settlements.” It’s time for Britain’s charities to be held accountable for their actions.